Best Picture

Even with eight other films in the Best Picture category this year, The Shape of Water stands out with one of the most original storylines yet. It is a tour de force from director Guillermo del Toro that pits Elisa Esposito—a mute woman played by Sally Hawkins, who works in a secret government facility—up against the maniacal Colonel Richard Strickland—her boss, played by Michael Shannon—in a race to save a strange sea creature, which becomes the center of the movie's conflict. It is a strangely charming film that mixes the sci-fi, romance, and thriller genres quite superbly.

The Shape of Water garnered del Toro his first Best Director nomination. The veteran, whose previous box office hit Pan's Labyrinth was nominated for both Best Original Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film, leads the pack with 13 nominations in a smattering of categories for his latest film, making him a top contender.

Notable Mention: Greta Gerwig

Gerwig's nomination is only the fifth ever for female directors in this category. If she wins, she'll join Kathryn Bigelow, who won an Oscar for Best Director with her 2008 film The Hurt Locker, as the only other female to win Best Director.